NZPT Queenstown - SKYCITY Alpine Adventure Final Table

 

The FINAL TABLE is underway at the NZPT Queenstown – SKYCITY Alpine Adventure Main Event today, with nine contenders playing for a first prize of $87,435 from a total prize pool of $301,500.

 

Here’s a look at who’s playing for the big bucks, including six New Zealand-based players (Seats 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, and 9):

 

Seat 1: Will Mauga (Australia) - Born in New Zealand but a resident of Brisbane since he was two-years-old, this 25-year-old painting contractor who runs his own business is married with three children.

 

Seat 2: Glen Maiden (New Zealand) -The manager of the Wharf Casino, this Queenstown local has been playing poker for five years. The 37-year-old earned a seat for the NZPT Queenstown Main Event via Card Sharks, a locally-run and based free-to-play poker competition. He has played in a number of major events around New Zealand and is second in chips heading into this final table.

Seat 3: Steve Smith (New Zealand) - He's one of several tradesmen who've put their hands to good use during this tournament. The father of two has been playing poker for about three years and is a regular at SKYCITY Casino in Auckland where he enjoys playing cash games and tournaments. The 42-year-old builder has thoroughly enjoyed his time in Queenstown: "What an awesome place," he said.

 

Seat 4: Andrew Hinrichsen (Australia) - The youngest player at the final table and one of only two Australians to make it to the final nine, this 21-year-old traveled to Queenstown with friends and has made the most of the trip, including his first attempt at snowboarding. The 21-year-old has been playing poker for one year, and is highly regarded by his peers.

Seat 5: John Pye (New Zealand) - This 39-year-old painter/decorator from Auckland placed third in the 2008 New Zealand Poker Championships Main Event. The father of two has been playing poker for about five years. He led this tournament at numerous points over the past two days and is fourth in chips coming into the final nine.

Seat 6: David Bradford (New Zealand) - One of Queenstown's best known former residents, this 65-year-old lived here for 17 years and was Town Mayor for six years. Now living in Wellington, he's been a constant on the poker scene here for many years and has played in Las Vegas on several occasions with his good friend and fellow final table participant John Guthrie.

Seat 7: Danny Chevalier (Australia) - Arguably the most accomplished player at the final table, this 46-year-old lived in New Zealand for many years where he ran day spas in Queenstown and Rotorua before recently returning to Australia. He won a preliminary event and final table another during the 2009 Melbourne Poker Championships, and won a seat into this event in a live satellite here at SKYCITY Queenstown. He credits his love of poker to his grandmother Regine, who passed away last year aged 99.

Seat 8: Mark Walker (New Zealand) - A 28-year-old machine operator from Cambridge in the Waikato region of the North Island, this is his first live tournament despite having 18 months of poker experience under his belt. His deep run in this event is timely after he and his girlfriend recently found out they're expecting a baby. He is in sixth chip position overall heading into the final table.

Seat 9: John Guthrie (New Zealand) - A dominant chip leader coming into today's play, this wily veteran has a heap of poker experience, much of it coming along side his good mate and fellow final table participant David Bradford. The property developer celebrated his 60th birthday last week, and is hoping to carry his massive chip advantage all the way to the first NZPT Queenstown title.